5 Days of Snapchat Discover – Parents Beware (Shocking!)

30 May 5 Days of Snapchat Discover – Parents Beware (Shocking!)

Snapchat is the King of Social Media…for now

With Stories, Snapchat Discover, live video, Spectacles, and other innovative features, Snapchat is still the top social media platform for teens and young adults. Although Instagram continues to shamelessly copy Snapchat, 32% of all teens in US at the age 13 to 17 years old use Snapchat, and many claim they prefer the app because their parents don’t use it.

That last statement is important, because it points to a huge gap between how kids are using the app and what parents know about how kids use the app.

And, because Snapchat is popular, younger and younger kids will tend use it. This is natural – the digital age just tends to push more and more on younger kids because they are drawn to whatever is trending.

What is Snapchat Discover?

It’s important for kids and parents to understand that Snapchat exists for one reason – to make money. It’s simple. Since the app is free, Snapchat makes money through use – the more the kids “play,” the more the marketers pay. One might even go as far to say that Snapchat is in the addiction business, because they profit through extended use (example: the Snapstreak basically preys on neurology tied to anxiety that compels kids to keep their streak going by using Snapchat daily).

One way that Snapchat allows marketers to engage its users is through the Discover section of the app, which can be found by clicking the three dots in the lower right corner of the opening screen. From there, users are treated to an array of articles and engaging, looping, Vine-like video advertisements from places like ESPN, Cosmo, Buzzfeed, E!, MTV, Mashable, The Bleacher Report, CNN, and others (they change daily).

Is Snapchat Discover Good or Bad?

We decided to click through the Discover section for five days and take screenshots of content that parents might not know is there for their kids to find.

**Warning** I’ve left most of the content in its raw format. No editing. Which means, you’re going to read some shockingly explicit, even X-rated things. But, I think that’s necessary, because it’s what kids are seeing daily. I need parents to have honest insight into what is there. I only censored out one word, which was in a Cosmo article talking about sex positions where it described a female body part that begins with a “c” and makes you cringe. Yes, you know the one.

Excerpts from 5 Days of Snapchat Discover

Snapchat Discover: May 19

Images of alcohol consumption.

An article about guys and sex and what they love about doing it.

An extended article describing Latin American attitudes toward sex.

Snapchat Discover: May 20

“Hope You’re Having a Sexy Saturday” from Cosmo.

An article touting the benefits of having a sexually open relationship.

The pros and cons of bath bombs for women.

Thoughts about public hair.

Snapchat Discover: May 21

Sex moves for each zodiac sign. The related article gives very descriptive details for how women can maximize pleasure not only for their partner, but also for themselves. This is the only place where I edited content.

An article describing the most explicit gay male sex scene that will be shown in a movie this year.

Snapchat Discover: May 26

Rapper Nicki Minaj shows us what a little rope does to cover her parts.

We read about an androgynous group of Chinese girls and their new band.

An article about ridiculous questions people pose about sex on online forums.

Cosmo helps answer blow job questions through Q&A with three guys. These three guys proceed to describe their likes and dislikes in explicit detail.

Snapchat Discover: May 27

Chyna shows us a sexy selfie.

An article about male anatomical reactions at nudist camps? Seriously?

We read about a weekend festival with dancing, music, drinking, etc.

Cosmo gives us a trio of articles about orgasms, webcam sex, and an female’s perspective on oral sex.

Conclusion: What’s the Right Age for Snapchat?

COPPA tells us 13. Our experience in elementary school classrooms tells us that kids ages 9-11 are using it. But, the content in the Discover section seems to beg a stronger, stricter position.

“NSFW” is what people use to label pornographic images and erotic content so that people don’t get in trouble at work, “Not Safe for Work.” Please go back and read each and every one of the screenshots above. Are these articles you would feel comfortable reading at work? In front of your co-workers?

What is Snapchat Discover? We believe it’s something that young eyes should not see.

When third, fourth, and fifth graders have their own social media account, including Snapchat, it’s not a social media problem. It’s not a kid problem. It’s not a device problem. It’s a parenting problem. We need more parents to be observant, engaged, and informed when it comes to parenting in the digital age. Frankly, we need more parents to say “no.” We need more parents who are willing to push back against cultural pressure to give their kid access to the latest thing. We need more parents who are willing to be loving instead of a best friend when it comes to parenting in the digital age.

Call to Action – Now What?

Once you’ve downloaded Bark to monitor your child’s device, what’s next? Are you ready to have awesome conversations with your kids about how to use their technology well? Snapchat – pornography – bullies – predators – help! Please visit our Protect Young Eyes Parent University, where you’ll find videos to watch with your kids, creating common vocabulary, and awesome chats. Sometimes, when kids hear someone else talk about awkward things, it helps them really hear it for the first time. Please visit the PYE Parent University today!

Living life to the full! That's why He died and how I try to live. I have an eclectic list of professional experience...CPA, business advisor, youth pastor, development director, now educational resource manager for Covenant Eyes. God shares wild ideas with me about life while I run. I want to show parents how to protect their kids from online dangers, which led to the creation of Protect Young Eyes. How can I help you protect the young eyes in your home?

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10 Comments

LKC

Posted at 09:16h, 02 June

I assume the content is “targeted” to individual users. Just like when I google something, I’m likely to see a FB ad for that product later in the day. So did you “discover” from a child’s snapchat account or from your own? And I’m wondering if that makes a difference. I’m so curious, in fact, that I’m off to “discover” on my 13-year-olds snapchat account right now. So thank you! But again, curious about the way the snapchat account was set up for this experiment.

Hi, Amy! I suppose you might be right 🙂 I find that the shift from 13 to 15 is already radical enough for some parents and so in order to make any headway at all, I’ve landed on 15. I would absolutely support any parent who decides to just not allow their child to use it at all (just as long as they teach their kid about it as if they DID have it).

Great question, and honestly, I’m not sure if the age I select for my account matters. For the account I created for this test, I set my age at 25. But, now you have me curious……I may do some more experimenting!

Best, Chris

Lisa hansen

Posted at 01:04h, 04 June

My son has access to YouTube through his Xbox. How do I safe guard that? Thanks! Your article was great! My son has our old old flip phone that only receives texts. It’s the safest thing we can do right now since he’s the only one left in the house. Any other advice ? Lisa

Earle Evans

Posted at 15:31h, 04 June

I think it might be targeted…my discover is about breaking news and sneakers…I’m okay with the news, but perhaps it’s time I lay off looking at shoes for a bit! Thanks for the article!

these things should not be allowed it is a way of desensitizing young people into thinking that it is the norm and no self respect it’s upto the parents yes they will hate us but that is short lived. All I can add is God help us all

AngRenn

Posted at 19:36h, 05 June

@LKC Your comment about targeted content was a valid one! My experience with Instagram, however, is the contrary. I am the singular user on my account, & am bombarded with invites & suggestions from other users whose “interests” are definitely sexual. I haven’t done any type of search or browsing that would indicate my interest in this type of content. To me, it is a type of phishing – if they throw their filth out far enough, they will be ignored by some, but some will click. And because of this, I am rarely on Instagram – Facebook is easier to control.

Hi, Lisa – for the Xbox, it’s important to cover it at a couple of levels – both by enabling parents controls on the device and also through the router that he’s using for wireless. You can read more about Xbox parental controls here and more about router controls here. Hope that helps

Best, Chris

Siri jones

Posted at 22:50h, 17 September

Well, this content is too mature even for adults. I mean, you don’t think about sex all the time. Snapchat can earn by showing some other news and interesting adds. Kids are already too curious at this age, telling them not to do it, because it is inappropriate, won’t help all the time. Please God help us and our innocent kids.

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